Ten Mill Lane Launches Art Inspired Cocktail Menu

Ten Mill Lane, Bar of the Year finalist in this year’s Cardiff event of The Regional Awards, have launched a new cocktail range inspired by artworks produced by students from the University of South Wales. 

The range includes 12 delicious cocktails inspired by some of the most defining pieces of art produced throughout 150 years of artistic movements including Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup, Van Gogh’s Red Poppies and Daisies and Banksy’s Girl with a Balloon.

The bar claims the new menu will be its best ever with Managing Director, Dave Abbott hinting that this may only be the beginning of themed cocktail menus for Ten Mill Lane. The staff have had a lot of input in the creation of the new menu and Dave admits that they’re already thinking of what could come next, although his lips are firmly sealed as to what this may involve. 

At a launch evening last week, the basement of Jacob’s Antiques Market on West Canal Wharf, Cardiff became the trendy setting for an art gallery-style exhibition of Ten Mill Lane’s new cocktail range, with each cocktail matched to the artwork that inspired it. 

Here are some of the masterpieces on Ten Mill Lane’s new art-inspired cocktail menu

1) The Treachery of Image by Rene Magritte

Ten Mill Lane recreate the taste of a smoky pipe using the oaky,coffee-like flavours of bourbon whisky combined with sweet vermouth to balance the taste. Meanwhile, spiced rum introduces flavours of cloves, cinnamon and vanilla to the mix and absinthe adds a warm kick, making for a smooth-sipping drink - just like smoking from a pipe in front of an open fire.

2) Campbell’s Soup Can by Andy Warhol

Inspired by one of Andy Warhol’s most well-known paintings, this cocktail is a modern, bold twist on the traditional Bloody Mary made using mango juice for a sweeter flavour and finished with candyfloss sprinkled with chilli powder. 

3) Blue Dress by Leonid Afremov

Our favourite cocktail of them all, the Blue Dress cocktail is a beautiful shade of lilac-blue, reflective of the painting that inspired it and of sights, sounds and smells we associate with the seaside. Sourced from a quaint Mediterranean fishing village, the gin is a great match for a seaside theme, accentuated by blue liqueur, with green tea and elderflower cordial creating fruity tones.

The full list of cocktails on the new menu are;

I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold by Charles Demuth

Bleeding Medals by Gilbert and George

Summer by Alphonse Mucha

Autumn Rhythm – Jackson Pollock

Blue Dress – Leonid Afremov

Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Humminbird – Frida Kahlo

The Treachery of Image – Rene Magritte

Red Poppies and Daisies – Vincent van Gogh

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande – Georges Seurat

Les Demoiselles D-Avignon by Pablo Picasso

Campbell’s Soup Can – Andy Warhol

Girl with a Balloon – Banksy

Base + Barley Cardiff

Base + Barley opens its doors today which is the latest of the many food venues opening in Cardiff. We attended the pre-opening event last night to bring you an honest review of the new venue with their signature dishes being sourdough pizzas and craft beer.

Formerly Artigiano on Queen Street, the venue has been transformed into a very cool Brooklyn style eatery that although is offering pizza, it’s completely at the other end of the spectrum from say the amazing Toni’s Amici Italian Restaurant on Churchill Way.  Where as Toni offers probably the best Italian pizza in the city centre, Base + Barley have hit the nail on the head with it’s sour dough craft pizzas.  Thin and crispy with enough to differentiate themselves from the crowd.  We chose the ‘Sourdough Pizza No. 3” which had a tomato base, mozzarella, prosciutto ham and portobello mushrooms.  Accompanying our mains we chose the sweet potato fries, which when done right, which they were, are one of our favourite side dishes ever conceived.  Just the perfect balance of crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The drinks menu was certainly an eye opener and one that craft beer enthusiasts will delight in.  There was a superb collection of classic cocktails, wine selection and various types of beers, not just craft beers.  Not only have they sourced the ever popular Brooklyn Lager, but Base + Barley have a collection of beers not previously seen in Cardiff, including a tempting Icelandic beer.  We tried the pilsner on draft which was very unique in taste and again another reason why this venue sets itself apart from the rest.

We have to say the staff at the venue were extremely attentive, knowledgeable and the recommended chocolate fondant with ice cream was the perfect gooey dessert to wrap up what was a highly enjoyable visit to this new venue.  

We spoke with Joe Hill, owner of both Artigiano and Base + Barley who was extremely passionate about tweaking their offering and he asked us for feedback ‘worts and all’.  Fortunately we couldn’t fault it and the venue is certainly on our recommended list for people of all ages.  Whether it’s for breakfast, a coffee, pizza or something different such as the roasted aubergine bake with yoghurt dip, Base + Barley is sure to be a hit.

115 Queen Street, Cardiff, CF10 2BH

baseandbarley.com

@BaseandBarley

For more information on the services provided by Degu Media please visit them at www.DeguMedia.net which includes blogger events, photography, video production (in house and out sourced), public relations, advertising and social media marketing.

Mamma Linas Rogerstone

I have visited Mamma Linas many times, especially considering they are our client.  But we were compelled to write about it now it has closed.

We get a call from one of our good friends who says they need help with the social media and marketing.  That came naturally to us and we quickly established the restaurant's online and offline presence in many ways.  That's what we do.

However, our work as a PR agency is so much easier when the products being offered are great too.  That's exactly what we stumbled upon.  When asking people about the venue, no one knew where it was, or anything about it.  But the food on offer was extra ordinary.

Let's first start with the building.  I a little tired with water marks on the ceiling and you can tell that some repairs were needed.  One of the owners took note of this and painted a few walls and make a few improvements.  It helped a lot.  The place instantly had a more cosier feel.

The staff?  The service was impeccable and no doubt down to the passion they show in their work.

Now to the best bits, the food.  The first dish was saw was a seafood spaghetti.  It looked divine being served up at the table in a crab shell.  The smells were amazing too.  People around the restaurant looked on in envy I can tell you.  This was simply an amazing way to serve up a very delicate dish, full of flavour that had just the right balance needed.


Now to the pizza.  I love pizza.  Most people do.  I have seen and eaten pizza that come in all shapes and sizes.  This pizza was a perfect example of a classic Italian pizza.  Not too thin like they do in Rome, but just perfect.  The crust was delicious, the toppings were amazing, and the chef added his own home made chilli to it which added a little bit of heat.  The dough was made fresh also. All in all this was an example of the perfect Italian pizza.

I would, and did, highly recommend Mamma Linas.  It's sadly closed for now, not due to lack of trade.  But rest assured it will be back and we are keeping an eye out for its return.  Mamma Linas were one of the best Italian Restaurants we have dined at and will be sorely missed in the interim.





For more information on the services provided by Degu Media please visit them at www.DeguMedia.net which includes blogger events, photography, video production (in house and out sourced), public relations, advertising and social media marketing.

Rev de Cuba Cardiff

Revolucion de Cuba

Degu Media was kindly invited to a tasting session at Revolucion De Cuba in Cardiff to try out their new menu for both food and drink!  How could we say no?

You really get a feel that staff work as a team as they are very enthusiastic about what they do and the whole operation is quiet slick.  Even when the place is full to the rafters on a Saturday night, you feel safe and well looked after.  I can also recommend joining their mailing list as they will often email with a great offer or even a FREE drink!

We tried out hands at making our own cocktails and sampling their food, generally what I would call snackage, but again, it's a social environment and that's what's great about it.

Word to the wise, The Zombie cocktail isn't called a Zombie for no reason.  It's how you appear and feel after too many and there is a reason that American's are limited to only a couple in many states of the US.








Here's a great video produced by Ebbw Media from the event:

For more information on the services provided by Degu Media please visit them at www.DeguMedia.net which includes blogger events, photography, video production (in house and out sourced), public relations, advertising and social media marketing.

Burger & Lobster Cardiff

There had been a lot of hype about Burger & Lobster with a lot of questions also unanswered.  This was the perfect opportunity to find out those answers and more, with an invite to an exclusive bloggers event. 

Upon entering Burger & Lobster is located above the ever popular Miller & Cater, I was surprised on how big the venue way, but it was laid out extremely well.  The main bar area being situated in a central location.  

Having had mixed experiences of lobster previously and not being a fish lover I was surprised (as everyone else is) to see that both the lobster and the burgers are priced at £20 each.  Ban, the general manager brought out a seemingly endless supply of dishes; we had steamed lobster, grilled lobster, lobster rolls and of course that £20 burger.  

Ben had given everyone in attendance the lowdown about lobsters and assured us that they prepared the lobsters in the most humane way going into detail and answering the questions thrown at him in quick succession.  Thats the unanswered questions out of the way and now it was time to tuck in.

Out of the three variations I personally preferred the grilled lobster, as it added a bit of smokiness to the taste. The lobster roll would be my second choice upon visiting again, especially for lunch times where time is short.

Although the burger was very good, I feel £20 is still a little steep.  I later found out that you can order a burger and lobster for two and be served half each, which makes it a little more easy on mind.

We tried our hand at a little cocktail making too and the bar staff were reasonably knowledgeable about their offerings with a good amount of experience. 

Burger & Lobster is definitely on our recommended list, but due to the price, it could struggle to keep the trade at a high levels at lunchtimes, mid week, as many will see it as a place to go for a treat once in a while.  The food and service is top notch, just expect to pay for it.

Here's a video James Harding from Ebbw Media produced at the event:

For more information on the services provided by Degu Media please visit them at www.DeguMedia.net which includes blogger events, photography, video production (in house and out sourced), public relations, advertising and social media marketing.